By Wadza Botomani
The election of Sammer Suleman as Speaker of the Malawi Parliament has cast the nation into uncharted political waters, sparking a debate that cuts to the very heart of democratic integrity. His victory, secured by the Democratic Progressive Party’s parliamentary majority, raises a pressing question: is he the most fit for the role, or merely the most convenient beneficiary of a numbers game? The court of public opinion is sharply divided, and for compelling reasons.
The most significant cloud hanging over Suleman’s new chair is his own parliamentary history. This is not a newcomer unfamiliar with the chamber’s procedures; this is the same member who was previously ejected from the house for causing disruption. His past is punctuated with episodes of being noisy and openly challenging parliamentary authority. The Speaker’s chair demands impartiality, decorum, and a steady, unifying temperament. It is a profound paradox to place the individual who was once the source of disorder in charge of maintaining order. Can a man known for his temper now tame it to command the respect of all members, including those from opposing benches?
Furthermore, the DPP’s marketing of Suleman as an accomplished businessman feels like a strategic diversion from more pertinent inquiries. While business acumen is commendable, it does not automatically translate to the nuanced and constitutionally demanding role of Speaker. The silence from his sponsors on his specific academic qualifications and, more importantly, his demonstrated suitability for such a neutral position is deafening. It suggests his candidacy was less about merit and more about political loyalty.
Malawi now watches and waits. Sammer Suleman stands at a crossroads. His performance will be under a microscope from day one. Will he shed his partisan skin and preside with the fairness and respect the office demands? Or will the previous house’s noisy backbencher simply be amplified by the power of the chair? The integrity of Malawi’s legislative process now rests on his ability to prove his many doubters wrong.
